Ultrasound Uses

Ultrasound Uses

1. Used in Medicine

   • Breaking down Kidney Stones
     • Ultrasound beam concentrates high-energy waves at the kidney stones and turns it into sand-like particles
       • These particles pass of of the body in urine
     • Good method: does not require surgery and relativvely painless
   • Pre-Natal Scanning of a Fetus
     • Ultrasound scanner is pressed onto the belly with saline gel.
       • When US waves reach a boundary between two different media (like fluid in the womb and the skin of the fetus)
         • Some of the wave is reflected and detected. The exact timing and distribution of these echoes are processed by a computer to produce a video image of the fetus.

2. Is it safe

   • Ultrasound waves are non-ionising
   • X-rays are ionising
     • so they can cause cancer if you're exposed to high doses.
     • Not safe to use on developing babies
   • CT scans use more X-ray radiation than X-ray Photos
     • So patient is exposed to more ionising radiation

3. Image Quality

   • Ultrasound images are fuzzy.
     • harder to diagnose some conditions
   • X-ray photos produce clear images of bones and metal but not a lot else.
   • Ct scans produce detailed images
     • can be used to diagnose complicated illnesses as the high resolution images makes it easier to work out the problem
     • High quality 3D images can be used in the planning of complicated surgery.